Wednesday, March 23, 2011

I'm on the cover of this month's issue of the Dutch magazine Vorm & Leegte, which means Form & Emptiness. It's a pretty big deal Buddhist magazine, as I understand. The Dutch equivalent of Tricycle or Shambhala Sun -- two magazines on which I'm certain I will never be featured on the the covers of. The photo was shot during the lunch break of a one-day retreat I led in Nijmegen in the Netherlands last year. The photographer shot what seemed to me to be somewhere around 25,000 pictures. I was getting tired of posing and trying to look photogenic, which accounts for the pose they chose. It's probably something I tried out of a desperate attempt to look interesting. I don't really work too much on controlling my image. Obviously.

I just got back from the wilds of Saskatoon way up in the Great White North of Saskatchewan, Canada. That was my second trip to Saskatoon. As before it was a lot of fun. But not as much fun as last time because the cold I caught just after coming back from Florida has hung on and on. This is due, again obviously, to far too much touring.

Speaking of touring, it looks like I'll be in Europe this Autumn.

I have confirmed a retreat in (at? with?) Benedikutshof in Germany Sept. 27 - October 2.

I am talking to some people in the Netherlands to set up some talks and things October 3-10.

I have also agreed to attend the conference by the German Buddhist Union Oct. 21-23.

Many other people are talking to me including folks in Durham, England, in Glasgow, Scotland, in France, Finland and Poland. But so far only the people in Germany and the Netherlands have suggested any definite dates. We'll see how the other stuff stacks up.

Someone in Belgium contacted me about going there. But I have lost that contact. So if you're reading this, please write me again.

Which brings up another point: If you have written to me about coming somewhere and I haven't gotten back to you, I AM NOT SNUBBING YOU. I don't snub. I do, however, forget things easily and I am terrible about organization. I desperately need a secretary or assistant of some kind. But so far no one has volunteered for the job. I am not one of those Great Spiritual Masters with a retinue of flunkies to do their bidding. I am doing all of this myself. Write me again if you don't hear back.

I've been reading Stephen Batchelor's new book Confession of a Buddhist Atheist lately. I like it a lot. It's not at all what I expected. I expected a Buddhist version of one of those atheistic screeds, along the lines of Christopher Hitchens' God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. But this is really good. When I'm done I'll post an actual review. It definitely falls under the category of "Buddhist Books That Don't Suck."

I was also sad to see that Victoria Jackson, who I used to think was pretty funny has gone bat shit crazy. Sad. And couldn't she have gotten a better Bible than the Gideon bible it looks like she stole from her hotel?

84 comments:

And you stare at meIn your Jesus Christ poseArms held outLike you've been carrying a loadAnd you swear to meYou don't want to be my slaveBut you're staring at me againLike I need to be saved, savedLike I need to be saved, SAVED!!

In your Jesus Christ pose (x2)

Arms held outIn your Jesus Christ poseThorns and shroudLike it's the coming of the LordAnd I swear to youThat I would never feed you painBut you're staring at me againLike I'm driving the nails, nailsLike I'm driving the nails, nailsLike I'm driving the nails, nails, nails, nailsLike I'm driving the nails, NAILS!!

In your Jesus Christ pose (x2)

Arms held outIn your Jesus Christ poseThorns and shroudLike it's the coming of the LordAnd would it pay you more to walk on waterThan to wear a crown of thornsIt wouldn't pain me moreTo bury you richThan to bury you poor,In your Jesus Christ posepoor, POOR!!In your Jesus Christ pose

I recently finished Batchelor's new book myself. He has really done his research eh! I was surprised at what a history lesson it was, not really concentrating on the atheist thing so much, as the title might suggest.

I like how he struggled with his desire to satisfy his peers while trying to satisfy himself. I think we all struggle with that, and it's very open of him to lay it out as he does. I think many people just stop at the "trying to satisfy your peers" part and live their whole life that way. That's probably what Victoria Jackson thinks she's doing.

Hey there--I love Confessions by Batchelor--one of my absolute faves. In fact, it seems to jive precisely with Hitchen's "God Is Not Great..." I know you don't have to eat shit to know not to eat it, but might I recommend a taste? I think you'd like it more than you think, and the Hitchens' crowd always seems to gun for very specific sects of Buddhism (usually the ones who literally gun for everyone else...) He's in cahoots with Sam Harris, who is kind of the black sheep among New Atheists cuz he IS "into Boo-dism."

I too am currently reading Stephen Batchelor's "Confession of a Buddhist Atheist” between bouts of homework, so I'm only on page 60. Good read so far.

I've never read Hitchens "God is Not Great," but I did recently see a film called "Collision" in which him and the evangelical theologian Douglas Wilson go on a tour and debate each other. They are both damn good debaters. At the end of the movie, Hitchen's said if he had the chance to destroy all religion he said he would not and really didn't know why. I found this interesting. It's probably do to Patton Oswalt's "Sky Cake" theory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55h1FO8V_3w

I believe that man-made religion is simply an evolution in morality (and obviously a way to make ourselves feel better about the unanswerable questions, such as "what happens after you die?"). However, many of these dogmatic views are outdated and cause harm and suffering...such as the bat shit crazy views of Victoria Jackson.

I believe Sam Harris's The Moral Landscape may be one of the most important books ever written, because he challenges the predominately held scientific view, that human values cannot be determined by science (and pissed a lot of scientists off by doing so), and the religious views, by pointing out dogmatic religious views that are extremely harmful to our society and cause a lot of suffering.

For me, Sam's book brings to mind Nishijima's ideas on the conflict between thought (spirituality) and matter (materialism). It would be great if scientists tested Nishijima's theory about Zazen balancing the automic nervous system. As Neuroscientist and Buddhist continue to work together, I think there is much we will learn. But, sadly, there will always be people who will turn away from the truth to hold on to their ego-feeding religious beliefs (Atheist can be just as dogmatic by the way).

"For me, Sam's book brings to mind Nishijima's ideas on the conflict between thought (spirituality) and matter (materialism."

Meaning, he seems to be aiming for the middle ground between the two. I mean, Sam is a major critic of religion, but he does say this:

"Now let me just assert, on the basis of my own study and experience, that there is no question in my mind that people have improved their emotional lives, and their self-understanding, and their ethical intuitions, and have even had important insights about the nature of subjectivity itself through a variety of traditional practices like meditation.'

'Leaving aside all the metaphysics and mythology and mumbo jumbo, what contemplatives and mystics over the millennia claim to have discovered is that there is an alternative to merely living at the mercy of the next neurotic thought that comes careening into consciousness. There is an alternative to being continuously spellbound by the conversation we are having with ourselves."

The quote from above came from a talk he gave at an Atheist Convention, a talk in which he pissed off many of the Atheist there.

He's not a fan of Genpo or Loori but a big fan of Monsters, Punk Rock , Himself, the swinglife style,His videos, Sf Zen center. He's not a "Fan" of certain medications, Viagra aside. He's not a big fan of the word " Spiritual". He's a "Fan" of Godzilla, Ultraman.He's a huge fan of plasticland.He's a fan of KISS.He's a fan of Robyn Hitchcock.He's not a fan of Basketball. And the list goes on.

Are his readers or followers just a bunch of sycophants or ? Wisdom or lazy practice.

I haven't read Hitchens' "atheist screed", but the books by Dawkins and Sam Harris (the end of faith) are great. I don't know where Brad gets his really negative view of atheists. Lots of Buddhists...probably most...are atheists in the sense they do not believe in any sort of personal diety. Susan Blackmore is a friend of Dawkins and famous Zen Buddhist atheist.

You asked, "Are his readers or followers just a bunch of sycophants or ? Wisdom or lazy practice."

I'm a follower/reader of this blog. Brad has written on a number of occasions that he doesn't keep this blog going as a vehicle for teaching Buddhism (although he does occasionally comment on matters Buddhist, or of interest to Buddhists or those interested in Buddhism). He keeps this blog going to promote his career as a writer about Buddhism and as a musician, and to announce his engagements, which include gigs, speaking tours and retreats.

The comments section is un-moderated. In my experience all sorts of people comment here and for all sorts of reasons; for and against Brad; for and against Zen/Buddhism, and for/against nothing in particular but just for the fun of commenting, attracted here by who-knows-what.

You decide if that's "wisdom or lazy practice". I'm content to read it and sometimes comment. My practice is my own business.

Anon #108It sounds like you are just sort of a fan. Perhaps up to your ankle but then you pull it quickly.

anon #108 said: Brad has written on a number of occasions that he doesn't keep this blog going as a vehicle for teaching Buddhism (although he does occasionally comment on matters Buddhist, or of interest to Buddhists or those interested in Buddhism). He keeps this blog going to promote his career as a writer about Buddhism and as a musician, and to announce his engagements, which include gigs, speaking tours and retreats.

You actually believe that #108? You must believe what you are told so then maybe you aren't a fan but a follower. Which is very different.

Lovely Is The Feelin' NowFever, Temperatures Risin' NowPower (Ah Power) Is The Force The Vow That Makes It Happen It Asks No Questions Why (Ooh)So Get Closer (Closer Now) To My Body Now Just Love Me 'Til You Don't Know How (Ooh)[Chorus]Keep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

[2nd Verse]Touch Me And I Feel On FireAin't Nothin' Like A Love Desire (Ooh)I'm Melting (I'm Melting) Like Hot Candle Wax Sensation (Ah Sensation) Lovely Where We're At (Ooh) So Let Love Take Us Through The Hours I Won't Be Complanin' 'Cause This Is Love Power (Ooh)[Chorus]Keep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get Enough(Ooh)

[Chorus]Keep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get EnoughKeep On With The Force Don't StopDon't Stop 'Til You Get Enough[Refrain]

It's true brad really does use the word "Fan" a lot.Do a search on the front page and the word 'fan" comes up endlessly. Page after page. Older post to older post.Interesting....I never noticed that before.

In his new book Embodied Cognition, Dr. Lawrence Shapiro provides a balanced introduction to embodied cognition's attempts to challenge standard cognitive science. His interview in Episode 73 of the Brain Science Podcast is a discussion of a few of his book's key ideas. It also continues our ongoing exploration of the role of embodiment.

Awesome magazine cover!!! I was really sad to hear that Victoria Jackson so homophobic too...I always thought she was this really cute and sweet funny lady. It's upsetting when people start spewing out bigotry and harsh judgement. Come to North Carolina soon!!!!

Unaware of The Killing until now, John. I just checked and it's on BBC4, which I don't get - I only get your basic five terrestrials. But I see most of it is still on BBC I player. Looks like my nothing much on telly moments are sorted for a while. Niice, blud!

I'll have to wait to get it on dvd in the original, I generally abhor American remakes, although a Swedish movie I enjoyed last year, Let The Right One In, was remade into a very close-to-the-original US version titled Let Me In.

*The other day I saw a car full of teenagers at the traffic﻿ lights playing loud Hendrix music ... good to see ... I've been doing it for years and years, I'm 62 ... I was there ! Hendrix lives ! dapgy 2 weeks ago 69

Susan Blackmore is not a fan of god? She does not believe in god. She is a scientist. Does this mean she can't also be a zen buddhist? She is famous. I've read her works for years. Does this mean she can't be a real zen practitioner? Are you drunk?

Mysterion @8:29: These labels, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Ignorance, etc., only exist on the surface. They are just thoughts, ideas. Ramana Maharshi (and others) said that one is only self-aware as long as there are thoughts present about who you think you are. When the thoughts leave, what is left? Can you call it anything?